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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide

Summary

This is a TEMPORARY, INTERMITTENT position located in Office of the Executive Director, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The incumbent serves as a Public Affairs Officer responsible for providing expertise in public diplomacy in Washington and at overseas posts, communicating with and through a variety of media to promote U.S. interests abroad.

This announcement is for up to 2 vacancies.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/14/2026 to 04/20/2026
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
2 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - Travel to overseas posts and domestic locations is required. Some overseas assignments may be in regions where personal risk and safety exist.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Temporary Appointment not-to-exceed 1 year. May be extended without further announcement.
Work schedule
Intermittent - Intermittent Work Schedule (no regular work schedule); limited to a maximum of 1,040 hours during the appointment period.
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Announcement number
HRSC/ICTAP-2026-0012
Control number
864879200

Duties

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  • Advises Chief of Mission by assessing the impact of U.S. interests of developments in the host country, evaluating the impact of U.S. policies and programs on public opinion with host country, and suggesting tactics to attain U.S. objectives.
  • Supports the Public Affairs Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate by advising on planning and monitoring day-to-day work to meet objectives.
  • Analyzes information, writing, and special reports and interprets developments of interest to the U.S. Government to ensure the Public Diplomacy section is fully prepared with messaging information.
  • Formulates and coordinates implementation of the Bureau's press and outreach plans to explain initiatives and issues to the American people through media outlets, civic groups, and academic and public interest fora.
  • Produces written information, brochures, and media materials relating to U.S. policy and goals. Plans, organizes, and arranges the interviews, roundtables, etc.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience advising senior U.S. Government leaders (e.g., Chief of Mission, Deputy Chief of Mission, or equivalent) on public diplomacy, public affairs, or strategic communications in an overseas or international affairs environment.
  • Experience leading the planning, coordination, and evaluation of public diplomacy, strategic communications, or outreach and engagement strategies supporting U.S. priorities overseas, including in complex or sensitive cross-cultural environments.
  • Experience analyzing foreign political, social, or media environments and producing written products that inform senior-level U.S. foreign policy decision-making.
  • Experience creating and coordinating communications materials and high-visibility public engagements in an international setting, ensuring accurate, timely messaging aligned with U.S. Government priorities.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

To be considered well-qualified, in addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov. 
  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. 
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume: 

  • Knowledge of U.S. society, foreign relations, and world events.

  • Knowledge of the media environment as well as the principles and techniques of journalism.

  • Ability to understand trends in public and media attitudes.

  • Ability to work effectively with staff, senior officials, congress, and foreign or domestic news media.

  • Ability to clearly and accurately communicate complex information to all audiences.

  • Ability to communicate effectively in writing.


Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. For assistance with creating a resume, please click here.

Qualified candidates are assigned a score between 70 and 100. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position and earn a score of at least 85 (when applicants are rated in a range of 70 to 100) to receive consideration for selection priority. If, after reviewing your resume and self-assessment questionnaire responses and a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, a score will be manually determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lower score, which may also eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this job opportunity. Your application package must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.  Qualified non-competitive candidates must be deemed best qualified based on the applicant assessment in order to be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.


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Department of State - Agency Wide

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides employees with a dynamic international career whether at home or abroad and unique professional development opportunities.  Each day, our employees make a difference as they advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance.  We embrace our talented workforce which reflects the personal, professional, and educational strengths of our country. 

Named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration, innovation, and personal and professional development. Visit careers.state.gov to learn more about what it's like to work at the U.S. Department of State, what the agency does, the wide range of careers this agency offers, and the benefits available to employees.

Agency contact information

Kathryn E. Phelan
Phone
771-204 4482
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
PERT-TS-REA@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of State
1999 Dyess Ave
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States

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